WiLS Ideas to Action at Lakeshore Technical College

Our first goal was to increase access by translating key service documents - such as our Equipment Agreement Checkout form, overdue notices, user experience surveys, and library policies into Spanish and Hmong to ensure all patrons are aware of library expectations, able to navigate resources, and able to give feedback on library services in their preferred language. We had success in partnering with an external service and were able to translate even more documents than we originally expected. Thus far, our translated materials include library notices, resource brochures, public-facing policies, forms that require signature, select signage, and our user experience survey. Below, we've attached our translations in the hopes that you can use them as adaptable templates or to generate ideas for your library. 

There are a number of translation services, both local and national, that can help you translate your documents. The services we used are as follows: 

Hmong Language Translations: 

• Fox Valley Communications: This local provider was very quick to respond and provided all our documents well before the deadline. 

Spanish Language Translations:

• U.S. Language Services: This provider had the lowest quote and a very quick turnaround time. This is a national company and all interactions were done online through their portal. 

Note on using translation services: If possible, we recommend using a company to do the translations but also employing 1-2 native speakers at your organization (if there are any) to look over the finished documents. We were very fortunate to have native speakers of both languages on our campus willing to look over the finished translations, as they were more familiar with our students and the context of the documents and were able to suggest some important edits.